In-vitro Anti-bacterial Effects of Jatropha curcas on Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Typhimurium Isolated from Presumptive Typhoid Fever Patients in Akure Metropolis, Nigeria

Aim: The present study determined the in-vitro anti-bacterial effects of Jatropha curcas on Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Typhimurium isolated from presumptive typhoid fever patients in Akure metropolis, Nigeria.

Study Design: The study evaluated the prospective use of J. curcas as an alternative to conventional drugs in the treatment of typhoid fever and gastroenteritis.

Place and Duration of Study: Five selected hospitals within Akure metropolis in Ondo State, Nigeria were used for the study. The study was conducted between June and September, 2015.

Methodology: Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Typhimurium were isolated from two hundred (200) blood samples collected from presumptive typhoid fever patients attending Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Health Centre, First Mercy, Don-Bosco, Sijuade and Skye hospitals in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria using selective media. Their identities of the isolates were verified using conventional microbiological techniques. The antibacterial effect of methanolic, acetone and N-hexane extracts of the plant leaves on Salmonella Typhi and S. Typhimurium isolates were thereafter evaluated. Quantitative and qualitative phytochemical screening were performed on the leaf extracts. Antibiotics susceptibility profile of the isolates was also assessed using commercial antibiotics.

Results: Highest zone of inhibition (20.00±0.58 mm) was observed with the hexane extract at a concentration of 100 mg/ml, while the least (2.00±0.58 mm) was observed with the methanolic extract at concentrations of 12.5 mg/ml and 25 mg/ml respectively for the S. Typhi isolate. Highest zone of inhibition (25.00±0.58 mm) was however observed with the hexane extract at a concentration of 100 mg/ml and the least (1.00±0.58 mm) at a concentration of 6.25 mg/ml for same isolate. S. Typhimurium was inhibited at all concentrations by the methanolic and hexane extract of J. curcas but resistant to the acetone extract. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of secondary metabolites such as steroids, alkaloids and saponins.

Conclusion: These findings showed that J. curcas is a promising source of reliable phytotherapy in combating salmonellosis.